Vanderbilt Cup Races

In the seventh of our profile series on the 51 Tuckers, the green Tucker 1006 located in California is featured.
 
Enjoy,
 
Howard Kroplick

Tucker 1006

Original Color: Green/300
Current Color: Green

Ownership/History:

Current Owner: Unknown

Current Ownership Type: Private

Location: California
Website: Unknown

Profile and Images (Tucker Automobile Club of America)

Engine: Franklin 0-335, 6-cylinder horizontally opposed, 334 cubic inch, 166 HP
Transmission: Cord

Notes/Distinguishing Features:

• One of only six Tuckers currently painted green.
• One of only eight Tuckers originally painted Andante Green
• Restored by RM Restorations in 1991

Tucker 48 Production Car Showcased at Hyman Ltd. Classic Cars

Sportscarmarket.com

ST LOUIS, MO. (September 2005) – Hyman Ltd. Classic Cars, one of the largest and most diverse showrooms of quality collector cars for sale in the world, is offering one of the most significant automobiles of the last century – a 1948 Tucker “48.” This important automobile represents not only the sixth production car built by the Tucker Corporation, but it has the added distinction of being used as the benchmark vehicle that each of the following Tucker autos had to meet.

This very special Tucker, serial #1006, was stored at the Ypsilanti Machine Shop in Michigan, where the Tucker Corporation started, and was the first Tucker ever sold to the public – at an auction in 1949, where it was purchased for just $800.

“This is a landmark automobile,” says Hyman Ltd. Classic Cars’ company founder Mark Hyman. “It has won numerous awards, including being judged by the Tucker Club at its 50th Anniversary convention as ‘the best and most accurate Tucker in the world.’ It is such a testament to Tucker originality and detail that it has been used as reference for many subsequent Tucker restorations.”

Untouched since 1958, this rare example sat in an old parking structure behind Detroit’s State Theater, completely forgotten, partially dismantled and decaying for more than a third of a century. Presumed lost by Tucker aficionados, the car was discovered in 1991 and purchased from the original owner, who also owned the parking garage.

At this point in its provenance, the car underwent a complete concours restoration by one of the finest restorers in North America. The restoration amounted to more than 5000-hours and culminated with what is known as the finest Tucker in the world. Hundreds of NOS pieces were researched and located for the demanding restoration, including original fabric for the interior. Other pieces were painstakingly rebuilt, including the car’s Torsilastic rubber suspension, which was actually re-compounded and re-molded so it would be absolutely correct.

Since its restoration, Tucker #1006 has been shown extensively across the U.S. It is the only vehicle to have been invited to the prestigious Meadow Brook Concours in Rochester, Michigan a total of four times, winning awards each time it was displayed.

“We’ve gone to great lengths to gather detailed information and historical data on this vehicle,” says Hyman, “and to include period Tucker accessories to make it the centerpiece of any collection for a serious collector or investor.”

In addition to extensive documentation including a copy of the Tucker’s original title, all details of its restoration and photos of the car when it was new, the car comes with a rare Tucker franchise agreement, a set of Tucker luggage,, including one NOS piece still in its original box, and extra NOS Tucker radio, and NOS Tucker accessory heater and a pair of Tucker dealership banners.

The official Tucker Automobile Club of America’s Authentication Book for this car includes rubbings of the car’s serial numbers and is authenticated and signed by Tucker historians and Tucker family members. There are also numerous photos showing the “hidden” details of the car, such as tape inside its door that says “Barney Tucker,” a family member who worked at the assembly plant, and the car’s original green color identification plaque.